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The countdown culminated in a successful liftoff of the Super Heavy booster and Starship vehicle, with cheers erupting as the engines roared to life and the vehicle soared into the Gulf region, marking the start of a complex series of maneuvers.
The Flight and Boosters' Performance
Approximately 45 seconds after launch, the booster and ship systems showed nominal performance, with all 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy firing flawlessly. This initial phase was marked by the familiar shaking and intense vibrations that demonstrate the rocket's raw power. The vehicle progressed through Max Q—the point of maximum aerodynamic pressure—and prepared for the critical hot staging maneuver.